Plumbing target and placement tool

ABSTRACT

A plumbing apparatus for placing and supporting a vertical pipe in relation to an installation surface, comprising a plumbing target placement tool, and a plumbing target guide having a pair of securing rods and a pipe supporting member, the plumbing target placement tool allows the securing rods to be precisely embedded into the installation surface over an installation point. The pipe supporting member is attached to the securing rods in vertical alignment with the installation point, and allows the vertical pipe to be vertically inserted, to be supported perpendicularly to the installation surface an in vertical alignment with the installation point. The plumbing apparatus further comprises a horizontal pipe alignment guide that allows horizontal pipe to be positioned along a guide line that runs through the installation point, the horizontal alignment guide being attached to two additional securing rods placed astride the guide line with the horizontal pipe centered therebetween.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to an apparatus for installingplumbing pipe. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to aplumbing apparatus for precisely placing vertical and horizontal pipe inrelation to an installation surface.

BACKGROUND

The installation of underground plumbing pipes is challenging due tohigh skill requirements and budget constraints. Due to the increasingcomplexity of building layouts, it is difficult to accurately placeunderground pipes in a timely and efficient manner. One particularchallenge involves placing vertical pipes in correct positions, whilealso ensuring that the vertical pipes are installed perpendicularly inrelation to a horizontal reference. Horizontal pipes to which thevertical pipes are to be connected must also be accurately positioned toprevent misalignment.

Various examples of devices for accurately placing and supporting pipesduring installation can be found within the prior art. However, thesedevices are intended for above-ground plumbing, and are intended to bemounted to wall studs or existing structural elements of the building.These devices are unsuitable for underground plumbing work where thereare no structural elements in place to which such devices can bemounted. Furthermore, these devices are often large and cumbersome, andare slow to install and disassemble.

A need therefore exists for an apparatus which is portable, quick toplace and remove, and allows vertical and horizontal pipes to beaccurately placed for installation without reliance on existingstructural elements for support or reference.

In the present disclosure, where a document, act or item of knowledge isreferred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not anadmission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combinationthereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to thepublic, part of common general knowledge or otherwise constitutes priorart under the applicable statutory provisions; or is known to berelevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which the presentdisclosure is concerned.

While certain aspects of conventional technologies have been discussedto facilitate the present disclosure, no technical aspects aredisclaimed and it is contemplated that the claims may encompass one ormore of the conventional technical aspects discussed herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY

An aspect of an example embodiment in the present disclosure is toprovide an apparatus which allows a vertical pipe to be aligned andsupported in relation to an installation surface during a plumbinginstallation occurring thereon. Accordingly, the present disclosureprovides a plumbing apparatus comprising a plumbing target placementtool, and a plumbing target guide. The plumbing target guide has a pairof securing rods and a pipe supporting member. The plumbing targetplacement tool has a guide structure and a pair of securing rod guides.The plumbing target placement tool is adapted to be positioned upon theinstallation surface, whereby the securing rod guides allow the securingrods to be perpendicularly embedded into the installation surface. Thepipe support member has a pipe guide aperture, and is attached to thesecuring rods with the pipe guide aperture positioned above theinstallation surface equidistant between the securing rods. The pipeguide aperture allows the vertical pipe to be inserted lengthwise, afterwhich the vertical pipe is aligned perpendicularly in relation to theinstallation surface and remains supported therein.

It is another aspect of an example embodiment in the present disclosureto provide an apparatus which allows the vertical pipe to be preciselyaligned with an installation point. Accordingly, the guide structure hasan alignment means positioned centrally between the securing rod guides,which allows the guide structure to be positioned with the alignmentmeans vertically aligned with the installation point. The securing rodsare embedded into the installation surface astride the installationpoint, with the pipe guide aperture in vertical alignment with theinstallation point once the pipe supporting member is attached.

It is yet another aspect of the example embodiment in the presentdisclosure to provide an apparatus which allows a horizontal pipe to beprecisely laid in conjunction with the vertical pipe to facilitate aconnection therebetween. Accordingly, the plumbing apparatus furthercomprises a horizontal pipe alignment guide formed using two additionalsecuring rods and an alignment member. The additional securing rods areembedded astride a guide line on the installation surface which passesthrough the installation point. The alignment member is attached to thetwo additional securing rods, and has a centrally positioned alignmentguide marker which is vertically aligned with the guide line. Thehorizontal pipe alignment guide allows the horizontal pipe to be laidcentrally between the additional securing rods in alignment with theguide line.

The present disclosure addresses at least one of the foregoingdisadvantages. However, it is contemplated that the present disclosuremay prove useful in addressing other problems and deficiencies in anumber of technical areas. Therefore, the claims should not necessarilybe construed as limited to addressing any of the particular problems ordeficiencies discussed hereinabove. To the accomplishment of the above,this disclosure may be embodied in the form illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however, thatthe drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as beingpart of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, like elements are depicted by like reference numerals.The drawings are briefly described as follows.

FIG. 1A is a diagrammatical perspective view of a plumbing alignmenttarget placement tool, in accordance with an embodiment in the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 1B is a diagrammatical front view of the plumbing alignment target,in accordance with an embodiment in the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatical perspective view of the plumbing targetplacement tool positioned perpendicularly upon an installation surfaceand in alignment with an installation point on the installation surface,in accordance with an embodiment in the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatical perspective view of the plumbing targetalignment tool positioned upon the installation surface, depicting twosecuring rods being inserted into securing rod guides passing verticallythrough the plumbing target alignment tool, in accordance with anembodiment in the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatical perspective view of the plumbing targetalignment tool, showing the securing rods being driven through thesecuring rod guides to become embedded into the installation surface, inaccordance with an embodiment in the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatical perspective view showing the plumbing targetalignment tool being removed while the two securing rods remain embeddedwithin the installation structure, in accordance with an embodiment inthe present disclosure.

FIG. 6A is a diagrammatical exploded view of a pipe supporting memberwith a centrally disposed pipe guide aperture, a pair of securing rodattachment points, and a pair of securing rod caps inserted into thesecuring rod attachment points, in accordance with an embodiment in thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 6B is a diagrammatical exploded view of a pipe alignment guide witha centrally disposed alignment guide marker, a pair of securing rodattachment points, and two securing rod caps, in accordance with anembodiment in the present disclosure.

FIG. 6C is a diagrammatical perspective view of one of the securing rodcaps, showing a cap projection and a securing rod receiving recess, inaccordance with an embodiment in the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the pipe supporting memberbeing attached to two securing rods projecting from the installationsurface to create a plumbing target guide, in accordance with anembodiment in the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatical perspective view of the completed plumbingtarget guide, in accordance with an embodiment in the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatical perspective view of a vertical pipeprojecting upwardly from the installation surface to passperpendicularly through the pipe guide aperture of the pipe supportingmember, in accordance with an embodiment in the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatical perspective view of a series of horizontalpipe alignment guides which allow a horizontal pipe to be aligned inrelation to the installation surface, in accordance with an embodimentin the present disclosure.

The present disclosure now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, which show various exampleembodiments. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to the exampleembodiments set forth herein. Rather, these example embodiments areprovided so that the present disclosure is thorough, complete and fullyconveys the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1A-B illustrate a plumbing target placement tool 10 comprising aguide structure 30 having a guide structure upper end 31A and a guidestructure lower end 31B. The plumbing target placement tool furthercomprises a pair of securing rod guides, including a first securing rodguide 34A and a second securing rod guide 34B, which extend through theguide structure 30 between the guide structure upper end 31A and theguide structure lower end 31B, as well as an alignment means 20 disposedbetween the first and second securing rod guides 34A, 34B. Turning toFIG. 2 and FIG. 9 while also referring to FIGS. 1A-B, the plumbingtarget placement tool 10 allows a plumbing target guide 50 to bepositioned upon an installation surface 90. The installation surface 90is a horizontal surface upon which plumbing installation work is to beperformed. The installation surface 90 may be gravel, dirt, sand, or anymaterial in which underground plumbing pipes are installed. In oneembodiment, the installation surface 90 may be a floor of a trench orditch to facilitate below-ground installation of plumbing pipe. Aninstallation point 98 is located on the installation surface 90, markinga position over which a vertical pipe 82 is to be installed. Theplumbing target placement tool 10 further has an alignment means 20disposed between the first and second securing rod guides 34A, 34B,which allows the plumbing target guide 50 to be precisely positionedover the installation point 98. The plumbing target guide 50 comprises aplurality of securing rods including a first securing rod 12A and asecond securing rod 12B, and a pipe supporting member 54. The securingrods are partially embedded within the installation surface 90, andsupport the pipe supporting member 54.

Turning briefly to FIG. 3 while also referring to FIG. 9 , the first andsecond securing rod guides 34A, 34B of the plumbing target guide 50allow the securing rods to remain correctly aligned while being embeddedinto the installation surface 90. The pipe supporting member 54 has apipe guide aperture 60 which supports the vertical pipe 82 and allowsthe vertical pipe 82 to be precisely positioned, such that the verticalpipe 82 is both aligned with the installation point 98, andperpendicular to the installation surface 90.

Returning to FIGS. 1A-B while also referring to FIG. 2 , the plumbingtarget placement tool 10 is positioned perpendicularly in relation tothe installation surface 90 with the guide structure second end 34Bpointing down towards the installation surface 90 while the guidestructure first end 34A points upwardly away from the installationsurface 90. The alignment means 20 allows the plumbing target placementtool 10 to be placed in alignment with the installation point 98, suchthat the installation point 98 is equidistant between the first andsecond securing rod guides 34A, 34B.

In a preferred embodiment, the guide structure 30 has an alignment guideaperture 44 which passes through the guide structure upper and lowerends 31A, 31B and is disposed equidistant between the first and secondsecuring rod guides 34A, 34B. The alignment means 20 corresponds to acentral alignment rod 22 which passes vertically through the guidestructure via the alignment guide aperture 44. The central alignment rod22 has a central alignment rod upper end 26A which projects upwardly,and a central alignment rod lower end 26B oriented downwardly towardsthe installation surface 90. The central alignment rod lower end 26B ispositioned directly over the installation point 98. The centralalignment rod upper end 26A may have an alignment reflector 24 attachedthereto. The alignment reflector 24 may be used in conjunction with atheodolite, total station, or other device used for surveying or fortaking measurements, as will be apparent to a person of ordinary skillin the art in the field of the invention.

The installation point 98 can be marked on the installation surface 90using various techniques known to a person of ordinary skill in the artin the field of the invention. For example, the installation point 98can correspond to an intersection point between a guide line 94 and alateral guide line 96 drawn, marked, projected, or superimposed upon theinstallation surface 90, such as by using string, a laser projector, orother devices or techniques. Once the central alignment rod lower end26B is positioned over the installation point 98, the first and secondsecuring rod guides 34A, 34B can be aligned with the lateral guide line96, such that the plumbing target placement tool 10 sits astride theguide line 94.

Note that the alignment means 20 may utilize other apparatuses, devices,or techniques which are known to a person of ordinary skill in the art.For example, in certain embodiments, the alignment means 20 may beimplemented using an optical alignment guide in place of the centralalignment rod 22. For example, the alignment guide aperture 44 mayincorporate a visual alignment mark, which allows a user to accuratelyposition the plumbing target alignment tool by visually aligning thealignment guide aperture 44 with the installation point 98.

Turning to FIG. 3 while also referring to FIGS. 1A-B, the first andsecond securing rod guides 34A, 34B are each adapted to receive thefirst securing rod 12A and the second securing rod 12B. The first andsecond securing rod guides 34A, 34B each comprise a rod guide channel 36disposed between the guide structure upper end 31A and the guidestructure lower end 31B. In one embodiment, the rod guide channels 36are substantially tube shaped, and each rod guide channel 36 has a guidechannel lower end 38B positioned at the guide structure lower end 31B.

The first and second securing rods 12A, 12B each have a rod upper end13A, and a distally oriented rod lower end 13B. In one embodiment, thesecuring rods are pieces of rebar. The first and second securing rods12A, 12B are held within the first and second securing rod guides 34A,34B, with the rod lower ends 13B pointing downwardly. The rod lower ends13B of the first and second securing rods 12A, 12B pass through theguide channel lower openings 38B of the first and second rod securingguides 34A, 34B to become embedded within the installation surface 90.

Turning to FIG. 4 while also referring to FIG. 3 , in one embodiment,the first and second securing rod guides 34A, 34B each have a guidechannel upper opening 38A distally oriented in relation to the guidechannel lower opening 38B. The guide channel upper openings 38A areaccessible from the guide structure upper end 31A. The rod lower ends13B of the first and second securing rods 12A, 12B are inserted into theguide channel upper openings 38A. The rod lower ends 13B pass throughthe rod guide channels 36 before abutting the installation surface 90,while the rod upper end 13A of the first and second securing rods 12A,12B project upwardly past the guide channel upper openings 38A. In oneembodiment, each securing rod measures approximately twenty-four inchesin length, while each rod guide channel 36 measures approximatelyeighteen inches in length, allowing an eight-inch long portion of eachsecuring rod to project upwardly away from the guide channel upperopenings 38A.

Turning to FIG. 5 while also referring to FIG. 4 , the securing rods areembedded into the installation surface 90 by pushing the first andsecond securing rods 12A, 12B downward through the first and secondsecuring rod guides 34A, 34B. In certain embodiments, the rod lower ends13B of the securing rods are driven into the installation surface 90 byexerting a downward force against the rod upper ends 13A, such as withthe use of a hammer. The plumbing target placement tool 10 is liftedupwardly away from the installation surface 90, leaving the rod lowerends 13B of the first and second securing rods 12A, 12B embedded withinthe installation surface. In certain embodiments, the plumbing targetplacement tool 10 further comprises a carrying attachment 14 whichallows a user to more easily lift or manipulate the plumbing targetplacement tool 10. For example, the carrying means 14 may correspond toa carrying rod 16 with a handle 18 which is attached to the guidestructure 30.

Returning to FIGS. 1A-B while also referring to FIG. 2 , the guidestructure 30 of the plumbing target placement tool 10 may be implementedin various configurations while retaining the characteristics describedin the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the guide structure 30comprises a plurality of horizontal plates 40 arranged in parallel, witheach horizontal plate 40 having a pair of guide channel apertures 48which allow the guide channels 36 to pass through the horizontal plate40. In one example, one of the horizontal plates 40 forms the guidestructure upper end 31A, while another horizontal plate 40 forms theguide structure lower end 31B. A third horizontal plate 40 may bepositioned between the guide structure upper and lower ends 31A, 31B. Incertain embodiments, each horizontal plate 40 further has an aperture oropening centrally located between the guide channel apertures 48,corresponding to the alignment guide aperture 44.

Turning to FIG. 7 , while also referring to FIG. 6A and FIG. 6C, in apreferred embodiment, the plumbing target guide 50 is assembled byattaching the pipe supporting member 54 onto the first and secondsecuring rods 12A, 12B. In a preferred embodiment, the pipe supportingmember 54 has a first securing rod attachment point 58A and a secondsecuring rod attachment point 58B, with the pipe guide aperture 60disposed centrally therebetween. The first securing rod attachment point58A and the second securing rod attachment point 58B are each adapted todetachably interlock with the first or second securing rods 12A, 12B.

In one embodiment the first and second securing rod attachment points58A, 58B are formed as openings which allow securing rod caps 62 to beplaced therein. The securing rod caps 62 may each have a cap projection63 extending through the first and second securing rod attachment points58A, 58B. To fix the securing rod cap 62 in place, the first and secondsecuring rod attachment points 58A, 58B may incorporate a star-likepattern of projections which extend inwardly into the opening to gripthe cap projection 63. Each cap projection 63 may have a securing rodreceiving recess 63A which is adapted to receive the rod upper end 13Aof either the first or the second securing rod 12A, 12B. The capprojection 63 may be formed of plastic or a similar material whichallows the cap projection to frictionally engage both the first andsecond securing rod attachment points 58A, 58B and the rod upper ends13A within the securing rod receiving recess 63A.

In one embodiment, the pipe supporting member 54 may have supportingmember upper face 56A, with an oppositely disposed supporting memberlower face 56B. The pipe guide aperture 60 and the first and secondsecuring rod attachment points 58A, 58B each pass through the pipesupporting members 54 between the supporting member upper and lowerfaces 56A, 56B. The supporting member upper face 56A is substantiallyflat surrounding the first and second securing rod attachment points58A, 58B. The securing rod cap 62 may have a cap upper face 62A and aflat cap lower face 62B from which the cap projection 63 extendsperpendicularly. The securing rod caps 62 are inserted through the firstsecuring rod attachment point 58A and the second securing rod attachmentpoint 58B, with the cap lower face 62B of the securing rod caps 62making flush contact with the pipe supporting member upper face 56A. Theflush contact between the cap lower face 62B and the securing memberupper face 56A ensures that the cap projection 63, as well as the firstand second securing rods 12A, 12B, are perpendicular in relation to thepipe supporting member 54.

Note that in alternate embodiments, other attachment means may beemployed to attach the pipe supporting member 54 to the first and secondsecuring rods 12A, 12B, such as open clips or other means as will beapparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art in the field of theinvention.

Turning to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 , once the plumbing target guide 50 isassembled, the pipe supporting member 54 is parallel with theinstallation surface 90, with the pipe guide aperture 60 positionedabove and in alignment with the installation point 98. The vertical pipe84 is inserted lengthwise through the pipe guide aperture 60 whileremaining in alignment with the installation point 98. The pipesupporting member 54 continues to support the vertical pipe 82 asvertical pipe 82 is attached to other elements of pipework. For example,the vertical pipe 82 can be attached to a horizontal pipe 80 runningparallel with the installation surface 90 via a fitting 84, such as anelbow fitting or a T-shaped fitting. The pipe guide aperture 60 may beconfigured with various diameters to accommodate vertical pipes 82 ofdifferent sizes. The diameter of the pipe guide aperture 60 may benearly equal to or slightly larger than the diameter of the verticalpipe 82.

Turning to FIG. 10 while also referring to FIGS. 6A-B and FIG. 2 , theplumbing target placement tool 10 may be used to place a horizontal pipealignment guide 70 upon the installation surface 90 instead of aplumbing target guide 50. The pipe alignment guide 70 is used to assistin aligning a horizontal pipe 80 with the guide line 94. In a preferredembodiment, the pipe alignment guide 70 comprises an alignment member 64having a first securing rod attachment point 58A, a second securing rodattachment point 58B, and an alignment guide marker 66 which ispositioned centrally therebetween. The alignment member 64 may have anupper face 68A and a lower face 68B. The first and second securing rodattachment points 58A, 58B allow the alignment member 64 to be attachedto a first and second securing rod 12A, 12B in a manner substantiallysimilar to the pipe supporting member 54. In a preferred embodiment,securing rod caps 62 are used to secure the alignment member 64 to thefirst and second securing rods 12A, 12B.

In one example, the horizontal pipe 80 may be placed with the assistanceof one or more horizontal pipe alignment guides 70, each positioned inalignment with the guide line 94. This allows both the horizontal pipe80 and the vertical pipe 82 to be placed in alignment with the guideline 94, thus avoiding potential misalignments which would prevent aproper connection between the vertical and horizontal pipes 82, 80. Theplacement of the horizontal pipe alignment guides 70 may be facilitatedby marking additional placement points 98 along the guide line 94.Additional first and second securing rods 12A, 12B are embedded into theinstallation surface 90 using the plumbing target placement tool 10,with the first and second securing rods 12A, 12B straddling the guideline 94. The alignment guide marker 66 is positioned above, and isdirectly aligned with, the installation point 98. In a preferredembodiment, the alignment guide marker 66 forms an opening that passesthrough the upper and lower faces 68A, 68B of the alignment member,allowing a user to look through the alignment guide member 64 to viewthe installation surface 90, the horizontal pipe 80, or other objectsbelow the horizontal pipe alignment guide 70. In one embodiment,alignment guide marker 66 is substantially cross-shaped, allowing thealignment guide marker 66 to align with both the guide line 98 and thelateral guide line 96. Note that the alignment guide marker 66 can beany marking or apparatus which facilitates visual alignment.

The horizontal pipe 80 may be laid out along the installation surface 90in alignment with the guide line 94 by placing the horizontal pipebetween the first and second securing rods 12A, 12B of the horizontalpipe alignment guides 70. To increase precision of the alignment, thehorizontal pipe 80 may be positioned centrally and equidistant betweenthe securing rods with the alignment guide marker 66 positionedcentrally above the horizontal pipe 80. In certain embodiments, visibleguide marks may be placed on the horizontal pipe to facilitate theadjustment.

Once the plumbing installation is complete, the plumbing target guide 50and any horizontal pipe alignment guides 70 can be left in place or bedisassembled and removed from the installation surface 90.

It is understood that when an element is referred hereinabove as being“on” another element, it can be directly on the other element orintervening elements may be present therebetween. In contrast, when anelement is referred to as being “directly on” another element, there areno intervening elements present.

Moreover, any components or materials can be formed from a same,structurally continuous piece or separately fabricated and connected.

It is further understood that, although ordinal terms, such as, “first,”“second,” “third,” are used herein to describe various elements,components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components,regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms.These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region,layer or section from another element, component, region, layer orsection. Thus, “a first element,” “component,” “region,” “layer” or“section” discussed below could be termed a second element, component,region, layer or section without departing from the teachings herein.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,”“upper” and the like, are used herein for ease of description todescribe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) orfeature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It is understood that thespatially relative terms are intended to encompass differentorientations of the device in use or operation in addition to theorientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in thefigures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” otherelements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elementsor features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both anorientation of above and below. The device can be otherwise oriented(rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relativedescriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

Example embodiments are described herein with reference to cross sectionillustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments.As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result,for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to beexpected. Thus, example embodiments described herein should not beconstrued as limited to the particular shapes of regions as illustratedherein, but are to include deviations in shapes that result, forexample, from manufacturing. For example, a region illustrated ordescribed as flat may, typically, have rough and/or nonlinear features.Moreover, sharp angles that are illustrated may be rounded. Thus, theregions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and theirshapes are not intended to illustrate the precise shape of a region andare not intended to limit the scope of the present claims.

In conclusion, herein is presented a plumbing target and placement tool.The disclosure is illustrated by example in the drawing figures, andthroughout the written description. It should be understood thatnumerous variations are possible, while adhering to the inventiveconcept. Such variations are contemplated as being a part of the presentdisclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A plumbing alignment apparatus for placing andsupporting a vertical pipe in relation to an installation surface duringplumbing installation, comprising: a plumbing target guide, the plumbingtarget guide having a first securing rod, a second securing rod, and apipe supporting member, the pipe supporting member having a pipe guideaperture adapted to receive the vertical pipe, the first and secondsecuring rods each having a securing rod upper end and a securing rodlower end; a plumbing target placement tool having a guide structurewith a guide structure upper end and a guide structure lower end, theguide structure further having a first securing rod guide and a secondsecuring rod guide, the plumbing target placement tool is adapted to bepositioned perpendicularly over the installation surface with the guidestructure lower end positioned downwardly, the first and second securingrod guides are adapted to receive and support the first and secondsecuring rods in a position perpendicular to the installation surface,the first and second securing rod guides are adapted to allow the firstand second securing rods to be pushed downwardly towards theinstallation surface, allowing the securing rod lower ends of the firstand second securing rods to be embedded into the installation surface;and wherein the pipe supporting member is attached to the first andsecond securing rods, allowing the vertical pipe to be verticallyinserted through the pipe guide aperture to be supported perpendicularlyin relation to the installation surface.
 2. The plumbing alignmentapparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the first securing rod guideand the second securing rod guide each have a guide channel extendingbetween the guide structure upper end and the guide structure lower endwhich is adapted to receive the first or second securing rod, each guidechannel having a guide channel lower opening which allows the securingrod lower end of the first and second securing rods to pass through theguide structure lower end to become embedded within the installationsurface.
 3. The plumbing alignment apparatus as described in claim 2,wherein: the guide structure further has an alignment means which allowsthe plumbing target displacement tool to be aligned with an installationpoint on the installation surface, such that the installation point isequidistant between the first and second securing rods; and wherein thepipe guide aperture is positioned above and in vertical alignment withthe installation point after being attached to the first and secondsecuring rods.
 4. The plumbing alignment apparatus as described in claim3, wherein each guide channel has a guide channel upper opening whichallows the first and second securing rods to be downwardly inserted intothe guide channels of the first and second securing rod guide.
 5. Theplumbing alignment apparatus as described in claim 4, wherein thesecuring rod upper ends of the first and second securing rods extendupwardly past the guide channel upper openings after being inserted intothe securing rod guide channels, allowing the first and second securingrods to be pushed downwardly through the securing rod guide channels byapplying a downward force upon the securing rod upper ends.
 6. Theplumbing alignment apparatus as described in claim 5, further comprisinga horizontal pipe alignment guide, the horizontal pipe alignment guidehaving an additional first securing rod, an additional second securingrod, and an alignment member attached to the additional first and secondsecuring rods, the alignment member having an alignment guide marker,the additional first and second securing rods are embedded into theinstallation surface using the plumbing target placement tool, theadditional first and second securing rods are embedded astride a guideline that passes along the installation surface through the installationpoint, the alignment member is positioned above the installation surfacewith the alignment guide marker vertically aligned with the guide line,allowing a horizontal pipe to be laid down between the additional firstand second securing rods in alignment with the alignment guide marker.7. The plumbing alignment apparatus as described in claim 6, wherein:the pipe supporting member has a first securing rod attachment point anda second securing rod attachment point with the pipe guide aperturepositioned equidistant therebetween, the pipe supporting member isattached to the securing rod upper ends of the first and second securingrods via the first and second securing rod attachment points.
 8. Theplumbing alignment apparatus as described in claim 7, furthercomprising: a plurality of securing rod caps, each cap having a caplower face and a cap projection extending perpendicularly therefrom, oneof the securing rod caps is inserted through each of the first andsecond securing rod attachment points, whereby the securing rod upperends of the first securing rod and the second securing rod are engagedwith the cap projections within the first and second securing rodattachment points.
 9. A method for placing and supporting a verticalpipe in relation to an installation surface during plumbinginstallation, comprising the steps of: providing a first securing rod, asecond securing rod, and a pipe supporting member, the first and secondsecuring rods each have a securing rod upper end and securing rod lowerend; providing a plumbing target placement tool having a guide structurewith a guide structure upper end and a guide structure lower end, theguide structure further having a first securing rod guide and a secondsecuring rod guide; positioning the plumbing target placement toolperpendicularly over the installation surface with the guide structurelower end facing downwardly; inserting the first securing rod into thefirst securing rod guide and inserting the second securing rod into thesecond securing rod guide; pushing the first and second securing rodsdownwardly through the first and second securing rod guides; embeddingthe securing rod lower ends of the first and second securing rods withinthe installation surface; removing the plumbing target placement tooland leaving the first and second securing rods to projectperpendicularly away from the installation surface; attaching the pipesupporting member to the first and second securing rods with a pipeguide aperture parallel with the installation surface; and verticallyinserting the vertical pipe through the pipe guide aperture, andsupporting the vertical pipe perpendicularly in relation to theinstallation surface.
 10. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein: theguide structure further has an alignment means positioned equidistantbetween the first and second securing rod guides; the step ofpositioning the plumbing target placement tool is followed by the stepof placing the alignment means in vertical alignment with aninstallation point on the installation surface; and the step ofembedding the securing rod lower ends further comprises embedding thesecuring rod lower ends of the first and second securing rods within theinstallation surface with the installation point equidistant between thefirst and second securing rods.
 11. The method as recited in claim 10,wherein: the first and second securing rod guides each have a guidechannel extending between the guide structure upper end and the guidestructure lower end, each guide channel has a guide channel loweropening; and the step of pushing the first and second securing rodsfurther comprises pushing the first and second securing rods downwardlythrough the first and second securing rod guides and projecting thesecuring rod lower ends past the guide structure lower end through theguide channel lower openings.
 12. The method as recited in claim 11,wherein: each guide channel has a guide channel upper opening; and thestep of inserting the first securing rod further comprises inserting thefirst and second securing rods through the guide channel upper openingsof the first and second securing rod guides.
 13. The method as recitedin claim 12, wherein: the first and second securing rods are longer thanthe guide channels; the step of inserting the first securing rod furthercomprises allowing the securing rod upper ends of the first and secondsecuring rods to project upwardly through the guide channel upperopenings; and the step of pushing the first and second securing rodsfurther comprises exerting a downward force upon the securing rod upperends.
 14. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein: the step ofremoving the plumbing target placement tool further comprises liftingthe plumbing target placement tool away from the installation surfaceuntil the securing rod upper ends exit the guide channel lower openings.15. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein: the pipe supportingmember has a first securing rod attachment point and a second securingrod attachment point, with the pipe guide aperture positionedtherebetween; and the step of attaching the pipe supporting memberfurther comprises attaching the first securing rod to the first securingrod attachment point and attaching the second securing rod to the secondsecuring rod attachment point.
 16. The method as recited in claim 15,wherein: the step of providing a plumbing target placement tool isfollowed by the step of providing an alignment member having analignment guide marker; the step of removing the plumbing targetplacement tool is followed by the step of placing the plumbing targetplacement tool along a guide line that passes along the installationsurface through the installation point, aligning the alignment meanswith the guide line, embedding upon the installation surface anadditional first securing rod and an additional second securing rodastride the guide line, and removing the plumbing target placement tool;and the step of attaching the pipe supporting member is followed by thestep of attaching the alignment member to the additional first andsecond securing rods, supporting the alignment member above theinstallation surface with the alignment marker vertically aligned withthe guide line, laying a horizontal pipe between the additional firstsecuring rod and the additional second securing rod, and centering thehorizontal pipe therebetween using the alignment guide marker.
 17. Themethod as recited in claim 16, wherein the step of vertically insertingthe vertical pipe is followed by the step of connecting the verticalpipe to the horizontal pipe using a plumbing fitting.